Brisbane Roar aiming to create A-League history as it stars finals from sixth position

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The first club to win back-to-back championships, the team that set the record for the longest undefeated streak in Australian professional sport, the side that revolutionised Australian football with a style of game never before seen in this country … there is little doubt the Roar have been pacesetters in the A-League’s short history.

“The only difference is that this season hasn’t been as good as we wanted it, but to make the finals has the same good feeling and we are very confident now,” said three-time title winner Henrique in comparing the mood going into this finals series to Brisbane’s previous playoff campaigns.

“To be the first team to win it outside the top two, that’s there for us. The club has achieved a lot and this is a new target.”

And if they Roar need any other motivating factors to claim the championship, Henrique provided them.

“For some players, it’s a chance to win their first title, for some others it might be their last campaign, so there’s a lot to play for — a whole new motivation,” the Brazilian-Australian livewire said.

Among those off contract is former Socceroos star Brett Holman, who watched training from the sidelines on Tuesday due to a knee injury that threatens his involvement in Friday night’s sudden-death encounter at AAMI Park.

Holman’s early exit in the Roar’s 3-2 win over Perth Glory last Saturday night allowed supersub Henrique to produce a man-of-the-match performance that included two goals.

“It’s unfortunate for us that Brett may be out, but we have to have confidence in the players we have in the squad. They have to step in and do the job,” Henrique said.